Proposed Franklin County tax meets with support, concern

Franklin County Clerk of the Circuit Court Jim Muir took a few minutes Tuesday evening to address the 30 or so Benton-area residents gathered at the Benton Civic Center for a town meeting to discuss the proposed tax referendum on the upcoming April 4 ballot.
"I hate taxes," Muir said, "but sometimes we have to look at the need.
"There are so many problems," he added. "Prisoners and victims have to go up the same stairs to enter the courtrooms. The elevator is non-compliant and there's not enough room to make it work."
The April ballot will contain a question asking voters to approve a sales tax increase of 1 percent for a period not exceeding 20 years to pay for construction of a new county courthouse. The bump would make sales tax in Benton among the highest in southern Illinois.
In 2015, a referendum seeking a .25 percent sales tax increase for maintenance of the current courthouse failed.
Muir said he believes that a new courthouse could help Franklin County draw in more business and jobs.  "Franklin County has an inferiority complex," he told the audience. "We don't expect good things to happen here."
County board member Tom Vaughn narrated a PowerPoint presentation prepared by Rick and Barb Linton that illustrated via photos the current problems with the existing facility as well as the specifics of the proposed 1 percent sales tax. 
The proposed facility would include not only state-required courtroom and meeting room space, but would also house space for the sheriff's office.
Board Chairman Randall Crocker cited several problems with the current facility, which was originally built in 1875. 
"The outdated electrical system can't even accommodate a generator in case of emergency," he said.  "The windows are old, there's no insulation, and it's not ADA compliant."
Crocker says the main compliance issue is the elevator and there is no way to bring the current building up to code. 
"There just isn't enough space in the current location," he said.
Vaughn pointed out that the court areas pose a constant risk of mistrial. 
"Jurors can't see the accused in shackles," he said. "A good lawyer will be all over that." 
He also pointed out a privacy issue with juvenile offenders who are forced to wait in a hallway until their name is called.
Space is also a problem. The country boardroom is sometimes used as a courtroom despite not meeting standards.
Board member Neil Hargis told the audience he believes the repair costs of the current facility "are just going to keep going up and up."
"This should have already been done," he said, "but it just kept getting kicked down the road.
Crocker said the Board looked at several ways to finance the construction. 
"We looked at grants," he said. "There are none right now. We also looked at a real estate tax. This is the easiest, safest way to finance the construction."
Crocker said the estimated cost of new construction will be around $18 million to $20 million. That figure is based on costs of other local facilities. The tax would have a 20-year sunset, but Crocker believes it is possible the debt could be paid off in as little as 15 years.
Not everyone at the meeting agreed with a need for a new facility. Dr. Saeed Khan, who has practiced in Benton for 40 years, voiced his opinion that the current facility could be repaired and maintained.
Robert Pierce, the newest member of the board and the lone dissenter in the vote to place the referendum on the ballot, took his turn at the microphone to explain his views.
"If I am the breadwinner of my family and my home needs work, I don't go and buy a new home if I don't have the money," he said. "I don't go deeper in debt. I get a second job and I find ways to make money."
Others questioned the possibility of a negative economic impact on the county with the additional tax.  
Brad Grizzell of Whittington told Crocker that the tax would have a major impact on his business. 
"I sell big ticket items," he said. "I have to complete with other counties that don't have this tax."
Vaughn spoke to that issue first.
"Du Quoin has a 9.5 percent tax," he said. "That's what Benton will be. I don't think people ask what the sales tax is before they make a purchase."
Crocker agreed. 
"Williamson County has a one percent tax that funds educational construction," he said. "I know a lot of you go eat in Marion and you pay that tax."
Muir touched on that issue before heading to his radio duties at the Rangers sectional game. 
"You look at Williamson County," Muir told the audience. "Marion has a new school.  Johnston City has a beautiful new football complex. There are several projects that make these communities proud and they were all paid with a 1 percent sales tax."
Donnie Smith of rural Benton said that for him, the issue is a matter of trust.
"These taxes are passed, and the money just seems to disappear," he said. "How do we know that these funds will be used properly?"
Crocker explained that the funds from the tax would be placed in a separate account and an annual payment on the bonds would be made until the debt is retired. 
"We are audited," he said, explaining that the referendum stipulates the funds can only be used for construction costs. 
The board will hold more town hall meetings in hopes of persuading Franklin County residents to approve the proposed tax referendum at the polls April 4.